Travel in brief 31 Dec

Tet holidays abroad prove more popular this year
Tours at travel agencies, including Saigontourist, Vietravel, Fiditour and TST Tourist, for Tet (Lunar New Year) in HCM City have risen by 30 per cent compared to non-peak periods, despite a 30 per cent hike in prices.
Fiditour said travellers had booked both domestic and outbound tours at the company earlier than the previous year, especially tours to long-haul destinations like Turkey, Europe, Australia and the US.
TST Tourists said more outbound tourists chose Japan, South Korea, Europe, the US and India, explaining that local travellers had become familiar with nearby destinations in neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia.
Lys Travel said the price of tours to Thailand had risen by 30 per cent to 60 per cent, from US$328 to $438.
Hoi An removes fees for national heroes, invalids, journalists
Hoi An authorities have announced the exemption of the entrance fee to the town for Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, journalists, war invalids and handicapped people, and children and students under 16.
The local authorities are offering a 50 per cent discount on entrance fee to students and soldiers. They are also further considering reducing the entry fee for diplomatic delegations, scholars and researchers.
In 1999, the city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as a well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port of the 15th to 19th centuries, with buildings that display a unique blend of local and foreign influences.
Travel club established to cater to tourists from Thailand
A club of 30 travel companies, mostly in central Viet Nam, has been established in Da Nang to promote better cooperation for Thai tourists.
The club aims to strengthen cooperation to improve services, prevent price undercutting, and boost tourism promotion, targeting Thai visitors who often travel to Viet Nam via border gates in central region, such as Cau Treo, Cha Lo and Lao Bao.
According to the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism, an increasing number of Thais have been travelling overland to central Viet Nam in recent years, including some 100,000 expected to enter the country via the central region this year.
International Food Festival organised in HCM City
The International Food Festival 2010, an annual event organised by the HCM City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, began last Saturday at the September 23 Park in HCM City, introducing the culture and cuisines of 24 countries.
In addition to traditional food, the participants displayed traditional costumes, dances, songs and games of their countries. The event ends on January 2.
Vung Tau to host buffet tour in Chi Linh Tourist Park
A food and tourism festival called Buffet Tour – Viet Nam's Flavour will take place in Chi Linh Tourist Park in the southern coastal city of Vung Tau from today to Sunday.
The event, which aims to promote Viet Nam's culture, food and tourism to local and foreign tourists, will be expanded to Da Nang, Quang Ninh, and Ha Noi, even foreign destinations in the future.
Buffet specialties from the country's three regions will be prepared by famous local cooks including Nguyen Dzoan Cam Van and Dinh Ba Chau. The event is being organised by Am Thuc (Gastronomy) magazine and Country Eye Group.